Mayor Mike Huether submitted a proposed 2011–2015 capital program to the City Council that places a high priority on rebuilding, repairing, and replacing existing infrastructure and facilities while promoting and planning for the city’s continued growth needs as well.

The program prioritizes the City’s plan to invest $387.1 million over the next five years in infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and other capital improvements. Overall, the 2011–2015 capital program is $85 million less than the 2010–2014 program. Because of the current economic environment, this plan uses conservative revenue estimates including 0 percent growth estimates in sales tax in both 2010 and 2011, but also accounts for the fact that the City is experiencing a favorable bidding environment.

Highlights of the 2011–2015 program include investing 64 percent of the available dollars in infrastructure for Sioux Falls including over $68.7 million in sales tax dollars to “catch up” on street overlay and reconstruction. The capital program also provides a commitment of resources towards fire stations and equipment for public safety, quality of life improvements such as parks, a partnership to construct indoor recreation facilities, and design money for a new event center to replace the aging 50-year-old Sioux Falls Arena.

The capital program is available to all citizens on the City’s website at www.siouxfalls.org (see link on right).

The Mayor will present his 2011 budget, including further discussion of 2011 capital priorities, at his annual budget address on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at 1:30 p.m.